brays 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of bray
as in grinds
to reduce to fine particles bray the seeds using a mortar and pestle

Synonyms & Similar Words

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brays

2 of 2

noun

plural of bray
as in bleats

Related Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of brays
Verb
The villas are new but already feel ancient (in the best possible way), pitched in a jumble of sugarcane fields, date palms, and donkey brays bellowing from the adjoining farm. — Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brays
  1. grinds
  2. bleats
  3. pounds
  4. barks
  5. crushes
  6. cackles
  7. beats
  8. yaps
Verb
  • Finance ministers and central bank officials of G20 countries convene in Asheville, North Carolina on Monday and Tuesday as the US-Iran war grinds into its sixth month, raising inflation expectations and keeping energy prices elevated.
    — Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026
  • As Poles grinds through his Sunday, The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain and Dan Wiederer offer this roster projection.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of grinds
Noun
  • On the southern end of the loop, check out the interactive Bison Center to feel hides, hear the creatures’ varied grunts and bleats, and learn about the park’s efforts to sustainably maintain the herd.
    — Jess Hoffert, Midwest Living, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The real money to be made from the president’s online bleats isn’t in knowing what the US government is going to do.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of bleats
Verb
  • Part of the problem is that every summer, water pounds down on sidewalks in the Treasure Valley, drops rippling on glassy reflective surfaces, all because of sprinkler jets overshooting the grass and landing on pavement.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Ukraine pounds Russia with long-range strikes At the same time, Ukraine has shifted the war onto Russian soil through long-range drone strikes on oil facilities that have caused fuel shortages across Russia.
    — Volodymyr Yurchuk, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of pounds
Noun
  • There is a chorus of 14, singing sheep and a pair of dogs (hilariously portrayed by Catriona Hewitson and Edward Jowle), whose barks become words that Theresa understands as she becomes strung out.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Incense usually comes in either cone or stick form and is composed of fragrant material — usually resins, seeds, barks and flowers — that’s bound together using a combustible material.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 17 June 2026
Definition of barks
Verb
  • Once there, Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf watch as the butterfly approaches the outstretched hand of a woman whose face is obscured, before the ominous presence crushes it in her hands.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Katie Ledecky crushes the world record in the 1,500 freestyle for her second gold medal at the world swimming championships in Barcelona, Spain.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of crushes
Noun
  • Her performance presents as camp, but her dynamic range of loud cackles and quiet glances is fabulous.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
  • One minute later, cackles rippled through my eardrums at a higher decibel than before.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
Definition of cackles
Verb
  • Its 600-meter (1,969-foot) span beats the previous world record of 445 meters (1,460 feet) for concrete arch bridges.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Working with Gary Clark to create the musical heart that beats through the story has been an unforgettable journey of a lifetime.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of beats
Noun
  • There was a riot of noise, the yaps and yelps of a hound pack fighting an animal on the ground.
    — Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 13 Feb. 2025
Definition of yaps

Browse Nearby Words

braying
brays
brazen
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Cite this Entry

“Brays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brays. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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